And neighbourhood libraries and community centres also offer free space.

So it is perhaps not so much the shortage of these spaces that has convinced some to pay for such facilities, but rather the unhealthy Singapore spirit of "kiasu-ism" and the tendency to "chope" resources.

The Singaporean practice of revising intensely for exams has become so prevalent that it has even earned its own moniker - "mugging".

But if we are serious about the push to transform our students from paper-chasers into problem-solvers and creative thinkers in the future, then the need to selfishly reserve free spaces to "mug" should be lower if assessments involve less regurgitation of content and more practical work.

This does not mean that study areas, whether free or paid, will become obsolete.

Instead, they should evolve, becoming community spaces that encourage networking, collaboration on hands-on projects and the exchange of ideas between both students and working adults.